What the heck did I just buy?!?

[CharlesT]

I was at one of my LGSs and found this little jem. It's a Mark 1 Target with the adjustable sights and grips with a thumbrest. It's also got a really nice, light, trigger. So anyway, it's got a weird finish to it and a funny magazine.

Here are the pictures:

Serial number indicating it was manufactured in 1970


That weird brown finish.



EDIT: Fixed the magazine issue using the information in the thread posted below. Thanks!
EDIT 2: Now I have a new issue. See post #14

 

[El Mariachi]

#1 and #3 are for our fellow shooters in the Southern Hemisphere....

 

[orionengnr]

Please proof read and correct your post. It makes no sense.

any of the Mark I magazines I have seen has the little knob on the left side. Where as this has it on the left side.

I do not see a spring in the mags marked #3 and #4. More importantly, your first two (of three) photos do not appear.

Hard to help, or answer a question when the question is indecipherable.

 

[Big Nugget]

The finish looks like someone attempted to remove the bluing.

MKI mag button
appears that some one took the mag apart and inserted the button in on the wrong side, or so it could be used in a MKII

 

[LightningMan]

I'm not sure but I've taken my mark III mags apart to clean them and it seems to me that if you so desired you could reverse the button on them. I suppose if you were a lefty, this might work better for them. LM

 

[Big Nugget]

Ruger standards and early MKI (maybe its just the MKI targets???) have the button on the right side like the #1 mag due to the frames. Later frames require the button to be on the left side like mags#2,3&4.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I think thats how it is.

 

[FROGO207]

The reversed button might work in the MK I but I had some of those magazines with the AMT Lightning .22 I used to own. I was looking for a picture but will need to use the interweb I guess. Also they were one round less than the standard Ruger MAG's IIRC.

 

[LawofThirds]

I do know that if I put the buttons in on the left side in my 22/45, the slide lock doesn't work.

Other than that, they appear totally reversible.

 

[gb6491]

Ruger standards and early MKI (maybe its just the MKI targets???) have the button on the right side like the #1 mag due to the frames. Later frames require the button to be on the left side like mags#2,3&4.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I think thats how it is.

That's correct. The A100 frame was introduced in 1971 and with this change, the magazine follower button was moved to left side.
The OP has a a pre-1971 pistol with the older A54 frame. Magazine #1 in the photo (with the follower button on the right) is correct for this pistol. Here's a good explanation of the magazine differences and interchangeability (also seems to be where the OP's photo came from): http://rugerforum.net/ruger-rimfires/37875-mark-pistol-mag-evolution.html
Regards,
Greg

 

[Fishslayer]

Whoa! You have the rare & collectable "Red X" model!

 

[Big Nugget]

If you want to see the "red x" pics.

right click on the red x
select properties
copy and paste the URL into your browser.


Or.... just click on the links below.

http://s5.postimage.org/77pmp3b86/2011_11_11_20_32_15_960.jpg

http://s5.postimage.org/9djxjleom/2011_11_11_20_32_32_369.jpg

 

[451 Detonics]

My Mk1 was made in 79 and uses the left hand button mags but as has been pointed out you can switch the button from ride side to left so the newer mags can be used in the Mk1, Mk1 mags are 9 round so switching the newer mags does allow for 10 rounds.

 

[Averageman]

I have a Mark I my Mom bought me for my birthday........like 37 years ago.
Other than putting a Burris Fast Fire II on it and purchasing mags over the years it still runs so smooth I brought it to the range on 10 Oct and was asked what I did to fix the Ruger trigger.
My answer was , about 20,000 rounds.
The Magzines were troublesome, but Ruger fixed that by making new ones that fit both Mark I and Mark II.
Enjoy it.

 

[CharlesT]

Sorry about the confusion with the pictures. I just updated them with a more reliable host.

Anyone know what happened with the finish?
I actually really like it. The trigger puts my MKIIIs trigger to shame even with the magazine disconnect removed.

There is one problem with the newer magazines. They fit really well, but this happens when you go to eject one.



I'm at a loss, no ideas. Anyone tackle this problem?

 

[FROGO207]

The MK III magazines have a slot/catch on the upper front side of them. This also catches on my MK II versions. They do not ever fall out and hit the floor either. As you have probably found out by now a little wiggle fore and aft will drop them right out.